Bottom Line:
According to the Cox regression, age (over 45 years) and treatment duration (under six months) were associated with a poorer survival.When treatment duration was excluded, the association between poorer survival with age persisted, whereas with having been treated via DOTS strategy, was barely significant.Conclusions.

ABSTRACTObjective. To analyse survival in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and factors associated with such survival. Design. Study of a cohort of patients aged over 14 years diagnosed with PTB from January 1, 1998 to July 31, 2005. During 2004-2006 a home visit was made to each patient and, during 2008-2009, they were visited again. During these visits a follow-up interview was administered; when the patient had died, a verbal autopsy was conducted with family members. Statistical analysis consisted of survival tests, Kaplan-Meier log-rank test and Cox regression. Results. Of 305 studied patients, 68 had died due to PTB by the time of the first evaluation, 237 were followed-up for a second evaluation, and 10 of them had died of PTB. According to the Cox regression, age (over 45 years) and treatment duration (under six months) were associated with a poorer survival. When treatment duration was excluded, the association between poorer survival with age persisted, whereas with having been treated via DOTS strategy, was barely significant. Conclusions. In the studied area it is necessary that patients receive a complete treatment scheme, and to give priority to patients aged over 45 years.

Mentions:
No significant differences were found between survival curves in terms of the following variables: sex, indigenous condition, type of community of residence (rural-urban), occupation, or social security (yes or no). Statistically significant differences were observed for age (poorer survival in those aged over 45 years) (Figure 1), educational level (poorer survival in patients with under three years of schooling), whether treated via the DOTS strategy (poorer survival in those not treated under DOTS) (Figure 2), and duration of treatment (poorer survival in those not completing treatment) (Figure 3).

Mentions:
No significant differences were found between survival curves in terms of the following variables: sex, indigenous condition, type of community of residence (rural-urban), occupation, or social security (yes or no). Statistically significant differences were observed for age (poorer survival in those aged over 45 years) (Figure 1), educational level (poorer survival in patients with under three years of schooling), whether treated via the DOTS strategy (poorer survival in those not treated under DOTS) (Figure 2), and duration of treatment (poorer survival in those not completing treatment) (Figure 3).

Bottom Line:
According to the Cox regression, age (over 45 years) and treatment duration (under six months) were associated with a poorer survival.When treatment duration was excluded, the association between poorer survival with age persisted, whereas with having been treated via DOTS strategy, was barely significant.Conclusions.

ABSTRACTObjective. To analyse survival in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and factors associated with such survival. Design. Study of a cohort of patients aged over 14 years diagnosed with PTB from January 1, 1998 to July 31, 2005. During 2004-2006 a home visit was made to each patient and, during 2008-2009, they were visited again. During these visits a follow-up interview was administered; when the patient had died, a verbal autopsy was conducted with family members. Statistical analysis consisted of survival tests, Kaplan-Meier log-rank test and Cox regression. Results. Of 305 studied patients, 68 had died due to PTB by the time of the first evaluation, 237 were followed-up for a second evaluation, and 10 of them had died of PTB. According to the Cox regression, age (over 45 years) and treatment duration (under six months) were associated with a poorer survival. When treatment duration was excluded, the association between poorer survival with age persisted, whereas with having been treated via DOTS strategy, was barely significant. Conclusions. In the studied area it is necessary that patients receive a complete treatment scheme, and to give priority to patients aged over 45 years.